Lyrae Holiday Home

Lyrae is a tidy pebbledash bungalow on Grainbank Road, on the edge of Kirkwall with the town just down the hill and open ground beyond. A low decorative wall and a little wooden veranda mark the front, and the big picture window tells you the main room is set up to catch the light. It sleeps five across three bedrooms, which makes it a flexible choice for a family or a group.

Inside

The living room is comfortable and unhurried, with two plush sofas, a standard lamp for evenings and a coffee table on a soft rug — an easy place to settle once you're back from a day out. The kitchen is bright and practical, fitted in light wood units with an electric hob and oven, a toaster, kettle and good worktop space, and a window over the sink looking out to green. Everything you need to cook and eat in is here.

Where you'll sleep

There are three bedrooms in all. One double has a solid wooden bed, crisp white linen, pine bedside drawers and a touch of colour in the curtains. Another is a calm neutral room with a large mirrored wardrobe and a pine dressing table — handy for longer stays. Beds come made up with towels left out ready.

Step outside

Round the back there's a conservatory or sunroom catching the afternoon light, opening onto a private lawn — a sheltered spot for a cup of tea or to let children play. A hot tub adds a relaxing extra.

The setting

You're within easy reach of everything Kirkwall offers — St Magnus Cathedral, the shops and cafes of the main street, the harbour and the ferry terminals for day trips to the North Isles. Being on the edge of town means a quieter night with the centre only a short walk or drive away.

Perfect for

Families and small groups of up to five wanting a comfortable, well-equipped base near the islands' capital — with parking, Wi-Fi, a washer, a garden and a hot tub to come home to.